taxonID	type	description	language	source
03D5681FFFE5F656FF274FF0FDD5FEAD.taxon	materials_examined	Type: — BRAZIL. São Paulo: Parque Estadual Serra do Mar, Núcleo Curucutu, Trilha do Rio Embu-Guaçu, 29 October 1999, fl., fr., R. J. F. Garcia et al. 1776 (holotype, isotype: PMSP!).	en	Affonso, Paulo, Vaz, Leandro Matheus De Carvalho (2025): A New Species of Mandevilla (Apocynaceae) from the Atlantic Forest in the Serra do Mar, São Paulo State, Brazil. Phytotaxa 730 (3): 261-268, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.3, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.3
03D5681FFFE5F656FF274FF0FDD5FEAD.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis: — Mandevilla curucutuensis and Mandevilla fragrans (Stadelm.) Woodson (1933: 713) are species that bear showy and fragrant flowers, and can be readily distinguished. Mandevilla curucutuensis is characterized by a shorter petiole 0.6 – 1.3 cm long (vs. 1.3 – 1.8 cm), the presence of interpetiolar colleters (vs. absent), smaller chartaceous leaves measuring 2 – 4.5 cm long (vs. firmly membranaceous to subcoriaceous leaves of 5.5 – 8.5 cm), terminal inflorescences (vs. lateral), vinaceous coloration in the corolla tube (vs. whitish), and smaller corolla lobes, 1 – 1.6 cm long (vs. 2 – 3 cm). In addition, M. curucutuensis has been recorded in reproductive condition during spring (vs. summer). Upon reviewing the work of Vasconcellos et al. (2024), it was reported that three species of Mandevilla were recorded in the Núcleo Curucutu: Mandevilla atroviolaceae (Stadelm.) Woodson (1933: 724), M. curucutuensis, and Mandevilla funiformis (Vell.) K. Schum. (1895: 171). All species occur in the plateau region, along nearby trails in the surrounding area, and can be distinguished by the identification key provided below.	en	Affonso, Paulo, Vaz, Leandro Matheus De Carvalho (2025): A New Species of Mandevilla (Apocynaceae) from the Atlantic Forest in the Serra do Mar, São Paulo State, Brazil. Phytotaxa 730 (3): 261-268, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.3, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.3
03D5681FFFE5F656FF274FF0FDD5FEAD.taxon	description	Description: — Woody vine 1 – 8 m; latex-producing, latex white; branches volute to erect, terete, with exfoliating bark, young branches green-vinaceous, adult branches brown-vinaceous; internodes 0.8 – 1.2 × 0.1 – 0.8 cm, in volute branches up to 8 – 11 cm long. Leaves opposite and decussate; petiole 0.6 – 1.3 cm long, sulcate, green-vinaceous, few scabrous trichomes on the margins of the sulcus at the apex; interpetiolar colleters (2 –) 3 (– 4); blades 2 – 4.5 × 1 – 2.6 cm, elliptic to oblong-elliptic, chartaceous, glabrous, green, base rounded, obtuse to cuneate, apex acuminate to shortly caudate, less frequently emarginate in young leaves, margin entire, subrevolute to revolute abaxially, vinaceous; venation camptodromous, veins prominent on the adaxial surface, immersed on the abaxial surface; colleters 2, at the mibrid base. Raceme terminal with 2 – 4 (– 5) flowers; peduncle 2.7 – 3.5 cm long, green-vinaceous; bracts early caducous, colleters 2 at the peduncle base, blackened. Buds 2.5 – 4.5 × 0.4 – 1.1 cm, fusiform; flowers 4.5 – 7.6 cm long, actinomorphic, showy, aromatic; pedicel 0.6 – 1.5 cm long, vinaceous; lacinia of the calyx 0.5 – 0.8 × 0.2 cm, lanceolate, greenish-white with a vinaceous apex, 1 – 3 colleters irregularly disposed at the abaxially base of each lacinia ca. 0.5 mm long; corolla infundibuliform, white, throat yellow; lower tube 1.3 – 1.8 × 0.2 – 0.3 cm, cylindrical, straight, internal and external surface vinaceous; upper tube 1.8 – 2.7 × 1.1 – 1.5 cm, campanulate-turbinate, internal surface yellowish, external surface yellowish to whitish; lobes 1 – 1.6 × 0.8 – 1.4 cm, slightly recurved, margin sinuous, white; filaments hirsute, anthers 8 – 9 mm long, hoary, base cordate, apex acute; nectaries 2 with 1 – 1.5 mm long, compressed-oblong; ovary 2.5 – 3 mm long; style 1.6 cm long, cylindrical; style-head 2 – 3 mm long, umbraculiform. Follicles 11.7 – 12.5 cm long, cylindrical, erect, striate, green, epicarp peeling. Seeds 2.5 – 3 mm long, linear to fusiform, base acute to truncate, apex truncate, blackened, coma 1.2 – 1.3 cm long, white.	en	Affonso, Paulo, Vaz, Leandro Matheus De Carvalho (2025): A New Species of Mandevilla (Apocynaceae) from the Atlantic Forest in the Serra do Mar, São Paulo State, Brazil. Phytotaxa 730 (3): 261-268, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.3, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.3
03D5681FFFE5F656FF274FF0FDD5FEAD.taxon	materials_examined	Paratypes: — BRAZIL. São Paulo: Salesópolis, Estrada da Petrobrás, 16 November 1994, bud., fl., R. Simão-Bianchini 619 (SP!, UEC!); São Paulo, Parque Estadual Serra do Mar, Núcleo Curucutu, Estrada da Entrada, 20 October 1998, bud., fl., fr., R. J. F. Garcia 1614 (PMSP!); Trilha à direita do Marco, 19 September 1998, bud., fl., R. J. F. Garcia et al. 1589 (PMSP!); Trilha do Rio Branco, 18 October 1997, fl., R. J. F. Garcia et al. 1308 (PMSP!); Trilha do Rio Capivari, 09 October 2007, fl., P. Affonso 1019 (PMSP!).	en	Affonso, Paulo, Vaz, Leandro Matheus De Carvalho (2025): A New Species of Mandevilla (Apocynaceae) from the Atlantic Forest in the Serra do Mar, São Paulo State, Brazil. Phytotaxa 730 (3): 261-268, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.3, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.3
03D5681FFFE5F656FF274FF0FDD5FEAD.taxon	distribution	Distribuition and habitat: — Mandevilla curucutuensis is found mainly within the boundaries of the Núcleo Curucutu in the PESM, specifically within the limits of São Paulo Municipality, approximately 70 km south of the city of São Paulo (Figure 3). The species has been observed in the Vegetation Type of High Altitude Grassland in the Phytogeographic Domain of Atlantic Forest. The specimen from the Salesópolis Municipality was reported near the PESM, along the roadside, but within a preserved forest area (pers. comm. with the collector). This discovery led us to investigate additional materials from other areas of the park and its surroundings; however, no further specimens were identified in the herbaria.	en	Affonso, Paulo, Vaz, Leandro Matheus De Carvalho (2025): A New Species of Mandevilla (Apocynaceae) from the Atlantic Forest in the Serra do Mar, São Paulo State, Brazil. Phytotaxa 730 (3): 261-268, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.3, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.3
03D5681FFFE5F656FF274FF0FDD5FEAD.taxon	biology_ecology	Phenology: — It was collected with flowers between September and November and with fruits between September and October, indicating that the species reproduces preferentially during spring. During other times of the year, the species is difficult to detect, as it blends easily into the dense and green environment of the Atlantic Forest.	en	Affonso, Paulo, Vaz, Leandro Matheus De Carvalho (2025): A New Species of Mandevilla (Apocynaceae) from the Atlantic Forest in the Serra do Mar, São Paulo State, Brazil. Phytotaxa 730 (3): 261-268, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.3, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.3
03D5681FFFE5F656FF274FF0FDD5FEAD.taxon	conservation	Conservation status: — Mandevilla curucutuensis is a species that does not form populations, with individuals found in isolation and randomly distributed along five out of 19 trails within the Núcleo Curucutu (Garcia & Pirani 2005 a). Furthermore, a single specimen was found along the edge of a roadway in Salesópolis Municipality, near the Núcleo Padre Dória. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) is estimated in 129.306 km ², and its area of occupancy (AOO) is 64.000 km ², though these values may be underestimated. Mandevilla curucutuensis has so far been recorded predominantly in High Altitude Grasslands; however, similar vegetation extends further east and south along the highest ridges of this section of the PESM. This distribution pattern indicates that the species may have a broader range, especially considering the specimen recorded in Salesópolis. The available evidence suggests that its occurrence may extend at least to the Bertioga, Itutinga-Pilões, and São Sebastião units of the PESM. This finding supports the hypothesis that this species is the only Mandevilla endemic to the São Paulo State (Mandevilla in Flora e Funga do Brasil 2025). Consequently, it is considered that the species should be preliminarily classified as EN (Endangered) under the B 1 + B 2 a, b (iii, v) criteria (IUCN 2024). Although the species is located within a Conservation Unit, the surrounding area is adjacent to rural properties, mining sites, and residential developments, all of which are susceptible to real estate speculation that may drive urban expansion and environmental degradation. Additionally, the area has already been affected by wildfires resulting from gas balloon crashes (Garcia & Pirani 2005 b). Notably, the species was last observed in 2007, despite the study area having been surveyed monthly until December 2019.	en	Affonso, Paulo, Vaz, Leandro Matheus De Carvalho (2025): A New Species of Mandevilla (Apocynaceae) from the Atlantic Forest in the Serra do Mar, São Paulo State, Brazil. Phytotaxa 730 (3): 261-268, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.3, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.3
03D5681FFFE5F656FF274FF0FDD5FEAD.taxon	etymology	Etymology: — The epithet ‘ curucutuensis’ refers to Núcleo Curucutu, the location where most specimens were found and the only protected area where this Mandevilla species occurs. The toponym ‘ Curucutu’ is an indigenous word referring to the hoot of an owl, which is common in the region (Polo de Ecoturismo de São Paulo 2025).	en	Affonso, Paulo, Vaz, Leandro Matheus De Carvalho (2025): A New Species of Mandevilla (Apocynaceae) from the Atlantic Forest in the Serra do Mar, São Paulo State, Brazil. Phytotaxa 730 (3): 261-268, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.3, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.3
03D5681FFFE5F656FF274FF0FDD5FEAD.taxon	discussion	Recognition and affinities: — Initially, the species had been identified as Mandevilla fragrans, which is the species most closely related to M. curucutuensis in the São Paulo State, particularly because both species are similar in leaf shape and have aromatic flowers with white lobes. However, upon further examination and review of the specimens of those cited in Vasconcellos et al. (2024), it became evident that it represented a new species. The material collected in 1994 (Simão-Bianchini 619) was not studied or included in Kinoshita (2005) and remained identified only at the genus level until March 2025. Accordingly, M. curucutuensis can be distinguished from M. fragrans by its vinaceous coloration of the corolla tube, its smaller petiole (0.6 – 1.3 cm long), chartaceous leaves, terminal inflorescences, and smaller corolla lobes (1 – 1.6 cm long). In contrast, M. fragrans features yellowish corolla tube, a larger petiole (1.25 – 2 cm long), coriaceous leaves, lateral inflorescences, and larger corolla lobes (2 – 3 cm long). It is important to emphasize that the floral fragrance of M. curucutuensis is likely subtler and more discreet than that of M. fragrans, as only the holotype highlighted this characteristic on its label. Besides M. fragrans, which resembles M. curucutuensis even in the field, the latter can be easily misidentified in herbarium specimens as Mandevilla pendula (Ule) Woodson (1933: 725), and Mandevilla permixta Woodson (1933: 715), the differences are detailed in Table 1.	en	Affonso, Paulo, Vaz, Leandro Matheus De Carvalho (2025): A New Species of Mandevilla (Apocynaceae) from the Atlantic Forest in the Serra do Mar, São Paulo State, Brazil. Phytotaxa 730 (3): 261-268, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.3, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.730.3.3
